SAT Writing : Increasing the Contextual Relevance of a Single Word

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #41 : Increasing The Contextual Relevance Of A Single Word

1 Today, different methods are adopted to strive off these threats to biological diversity. 2 By now, the occurrence of invasive species is a common place problem. 3 It occurs when a non native species of plant or animal is introduced into a new environment. 4 Invasive species cause problems, such as kudzu, Asian carp, and zebra mussels. 5 Habitats can be destroyed and human economies can be damaged by the invidious effects of species that are inoculated or even charming pets in other ecosystems. 6 For example, rabbits in Australia. 7 They were introduced in the 1780s by British penal colony ships and became widespread after an 1859 outbreak, destroying millions of dollars worth of crops. 8 Pheromone traps can lure in insect pests and genetic modification can cause invasive carp to produce only male offspring, limiting their reproduction. 9 Given our widespread global commerce and travel, however, it may be impossible to foresight all damage done by species that end up somewhere they don’t belong.

In Sentence 1, what word should replace “strive”?

Possible Answers:

shrive

strove

stave

stove

strive (no change)

Correct answer:

stave

Explanation:

The correct phrase is always “stave off,” and it means to ward off or keep at bay. To "strive" (past tense strove) is to endeavor to do something, to "shrive" is to absolve of guilt or sins, and "stove" is the past tense of "stave."

Example Question #42 : Increasing The Contextual Relevance Of A Single Word

1 Today, different methods are adopted to strive off these threats to biological diversity. 2 By now, the occurrence of invasive species is a common place problem. 3 It occurs when a non native species of plant or animal is introduced into a new environment. 4 Invasive species cause problems, such as kudzu, Asian carp, and zebra mussels. 5 Habitats can be destroyed and human economies can be damaged by the invidious effects of species that are inoculated or even charming pets in other ecosystems. 6 For example, rabbits in Australia. 7 They were introduced in the 1780s by British penal colony ships and became widespread after an 1859 outbreak, destroying millions of dollars worth of crops. 8 Pheromone traps can lure in insect pests and genetic modification can cause invasive carp to produce only male offspring, limiting their reproduction. 9 Given our widespread global commerce and travel, however, it may be impossible to foresight all damage done by species that end up somewhere they don’t belong.

In Sentence 5, what word should replace "invidious"?

Possible Answers:

vitreous

invidious (no change)

insidious

obsequious

perfidious

Correct answer:

insidious

Explanation:

Here, a single letter makes all the difference. “Invidious” means envious or unpleasant, while “insidious,” the correct choice, means causing harm in a non-ostentations, sneaky, or treacherous way.

"Perfidious" means deceptive, deceitful, or exploitative, and is usually applied to humans, or at least to sentient beings. "Vitreous" means glasslike. Obsequious means obedient or obliging to the point of fawning.

Example Question #43 : Increasing The Contextual Relevance Of A Single Word

1 Today, different methods are adopted to strive off these threats to biological diversity. 2 By now, the occurrence of invasive species is a common place problem. 3 It occurs when a non native species of plant or animal is introduced into a new environment. 4 Invasive species cause problems, such as kudzu, Asian carp, and zebra mussels. 5 Habitats can be destroyed and human economies can be damaged by the invidious effects of species that are inoculated or even charming pets in other ecosystems. 6 For example, rabbits in Australia. 7 They were introduced in the 1780s by British penal colony ships and became widespread after an 1859 outbreak, destroying millions of dollars worth of crops. 8 Pheromone traps can lure in insect pests and genetic modification can cause invasive carp to produce only male offspring, limiting their reproduction. 9 Given our widespread global commerce and travel, however, it may be impossible to foresight all damage done by species that end up somewhere they don’t belong.

In Sentence 9, what word should replace “foresight”?

Possible Answers:

forebearer

foreshank

foresight (no changes)

forbearance

forestall

Correct answer:

forestall

Explanation:

We need to choose a replacement word that is a verb, the correct part of speech for this sentence. A "forebearer" (noun) is an ancestor, "forbearance" (abstract noun) is the quality of having patience with difficult people or situations, "foresight" (noun) is the ability to look forward and anticipate the future, and a "foreshank" (noun) is the upper part of a cow’s front leg. To "forestall" (verb) something is to prevent it from happening, and that meaning makes perfect sense in the sentence.

Example Question #361 : Improving And Correcting Sentences

1 As anyone who has tried it can tell you, Filipino food is an exciting intriguing blend of flavors. 2 Due to interaction with various nations and cultures, it’s cuisine is marked by influences from Austronesia, Spain, China, Malaysia, and the United States. 3 Some typical dishes including pancit, longganisa, lumpia, kare-kare, pinakbet, sinigang, and adobo. 4 For example, one could find everything from Spanish paella and Chinese spring rolls (locally called lumpia) if you walked into a Filipino restaurant.

5 Another important compound of Filipino cuisine is street food. 6 These street foods include many fried foods, such as bananas, plantains, dumplings, squid balls, battered quail eggs, and fruit or vegetable spring rolls.7 Taho, a warm street food, is composed of bean curd, a caramel syrup or arnibal, and tapioca pearls.8 Don’t forget dessert! 9 With such a variety of flavors, textures, and cooking styles, there’s certainly to be something for every gourmand.

In Sentence 5, what word should replace “compound”?

Possible Answers:

component

compote

compound (no change)

compadre

comparison

Correct answer:

component

Explanation:

A "compound" can be either a walled-in collection or buildings or a substance formed by the chemical combination of two other ingredients, neither of which definitions makes sense in the sentence. A "compote" is a fruit dessert, a "comparison" is the act of considering two objects’ similarities and differences, and a "compadre" is a close friend or companion. The only word that fits the sentence is “component,” or an important piece or aspect of something.

Example Question #361 : Improving And Correcting Sentences

1 While many people feel strongly about the genetic modification of foods. 2 Most do not understand the full nature of genetically modified (GM) plants and animals. 3 For example, did you even know that GM was the abbreviation for genetically modified? 4 Genetic modification is defined as the artificial manipulation of a specie’s DNA usually for the purpose of improving crop yield, resistance to disease, or nutritive value. 5 And did you know it has been going on for millennia, because ancient farmers were selectively breeding foods to provide better flavor, produce smaller seeds, or withstand drought and flooding?

6 Today, however, having more sophisticated tools allow scientists to transfer genes from one organism with another, this purposely provokes better pest resistance and other desirable characteristics. 7 Opponents of genetic modification argue that the DNA modifications are unstable, undesirable, and unhealthy for the environment. 8 Additionally, some are also arguing that consuming GM foods is unsafe for humans, despite much scientific evidence to the contrary.

In Sentence 6, what word should replace “purposely”?

Possible Answers:

purplishly

purposely (no change)

pueperally

purposively

purportedly

Correct answer:

purportedly

Explanation:

A word that means supposedly (“purportedly”) would improve the clarity of the sentence more than a word that means with purpose (“purposely”).

Example Question #45 : Increasing The Contextual Relevance Of A Single Word

1 Unlike most languages, Esperanto was created artificially and not arrived naturally from other language’s evolution. 2 If you’ve ever traveled in a foreign country where you don’t speak the language, you’ll be familiar with the motives of the creators of Esperanto; a universal language constructed in 1887. 3 It was invented by the linguist L.L. Zamenhof, its name translating roughly to “the hopeful one,” and it was intended as a simple, neutral language that could transfer national differences and promote international harmony.

4 Implementing Esperanto, although, was more difficult than anticipated. 5 Yet more than two million people world-wide are fluent in Esperanto, far more are fluent in so-called global languages, such as English, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, and Hindi. 6 Linguistically, Esperanto relies within a Latin alphabet and a grammar and vocabulary based primarily on Indo-European languages. 7 Luckily, free online resources, local clubs, and interminable school-sponsored instruction have kept this valuable linguistic experiment from dying out altogether.

In Sentence 3, what word should replace “transfer”?

Possible Answers:

transect

transcend

transfer (no change)

transact

transept

Correct answer:

transcend

Explanation:

It can be inferred from the context of the sentence that Esperanto was intended to help people surpass linguistic and political differences, meaning that the correct word is “transcend” – to rise above or extend beyond something.

Example Question #361 : Improving And Correcting Sentences

1 The lost-wax casting method may sound cryptic, but its really a fairly simple and comprehendible process. 2 It is also known as investment or precision casting. 3 It involves twelve steps in that an artist makes an original wax model; creates rubber and plaster molds from the model; fills the molds with wax; coats the new wax models with a ceramic material; and fires the wax-ceramic mixture into a kiln so that the outer layer becomes a reusable mold and the inner wax melts away. 4 Despite involves technical jingo such as spruing, metal-chasing, and burnout, it is a very versant process that can be applied to everything from jewelry making and sculpture, automobile and gun manufacturing.

5 Lost-wax has been used by sculptors from ancient Greece all the way to modern day Germany. 6 Lost-wax has even been applied to dentistry, it is most frequently used to make gold crowns and inlays.7 Why not give it a try? 

In Sentence 4, what word should replace “jingo”?

Possible Answers:

jargon

jargoon

jingoism

jardinière

jingo (no change)

Correct answer:

jargon

Explanation:

We’re looking for a word that means a specialized technical language used by experts or members of  a shared profession, and that’s the exact definition of “jargon.” “Jingo” is a mild (and somewhat outdated) curse, “jargoon” is a pale mineral, a “jardinière” is an ornamental plant holder, and “jingoism” is extreme and chauvinistic patriotism.

Example Question #678 : Improving Paragraphs

1 The lost-wax casting method may sound cryptic, but its really a fairly simple and comprehendible process. 2 It is also known as investment or precision casting. 3 It involves twelve steps in that an artist makes an original wax model; creates rubber and plaster molds from the model; fills the molds with wax; coats the new wax models with a ceramic material; and fires the wax-ceramic mixture into a kiln so that the outer layer becomes a reusable mold and the inner wax melts away. 4 Despite involves technical jingo such as spruing, metal-chasing, and burnout, it is a very versant process that can be applied to everything from jewelry making and sculpture, automobile and gun manufacturing.

5 Lost-wax has been used by sculptors from ancient Greece all the way to modern day Germany. 6 Lost-wax has even been applied to dentistry, it is most frequently used to make gold crowns and inlays.7 Why not give it a try? 

In Sentence 4, what word should replace “versant”?

Possible Answers:

versified

versant (no change)

versatile

aversive

versicular

Correct answer:

versatile

Explanation:

“Versant” means either experienced or conversant in a subject or with a topic, neither of which is a characteristic that a process can have. A process can, however, be “versatile,” or have many different uses.

Example Question #362 : Improving And Correcting Sentences

1 The lost-wax casting method may sound cryptic, but its really a fairly simple and comprehendible process. 2 It is also known as investment or precision casting. 3 It involves twelve steps in that an artist makes an original wax model; creates rubber and plaster molds from the model; fills the molds with wax; coats the new wax models with a ceramic material; and fires the wax-ceramic mixture into a kiln so that the outer layer becomes a reusable mold and the inner wax melts away. 4 Despite involves technical jingo such as spruing, metal-chasing, and burnout, it is a very versant process that can be applied to everything from jewelry making and sculpture, automobile and gun manufacturing.

5 Lost-wax has been used by sculptors from ancient Greece all the way to modern day Germany. 6 Lost-wax has even been applied to dentistry, it is most frequently used to make gold crowns and inlays.7 Why not give it a try? 

In Sentence 1, what word should replace “cryptic”?

Possible Answers:

cyanate

cryophilic

cryptic (no change)

crepuscular

cryogenic

Correct answer:

cryptic (no change)

Explanation:

“Cryptic,” which means mysterious or enigmatic, and is the correct word for this sentence. We’re looking for a word that is the opposite of “simple and comprehensible,” and “cryptic” is the only choice that has this meaning.

Example Question #47 : Increasing The Contextual Relevance Of A Single Word

1 E.J. Bellocq, who was he? 2 Those outside the photography coterie may not have heard of him, but his life’s work inspired innumerable films and works of literature. 3 Born into a rich family in the French Quarter of New Orleans Bellocq made a living, taking official photographs of ships, machinery, and other commercial items for local companies. 4 As a result, he became known for his portraits of Chinatown opium dens, and prostitutes in Storyville, one of the seediest districts of early 20th century New Orleans.

5 Bellocq’s work is categorized by its attention to detail and its rich aesthetic sensibility. 6 In his personal life, he was known for being eccentric, unfriendly, partially crippled, and possibly insane. 7 In his veritable Storyville portraits, the women are nude or clothed, looking at or away from the camera, and posed reclining or standing up, revealing great versatility on Bellocq’s part. 8 Tragically many of his negatives and prints were destroyed or damaged by an uncertain hand (mostly likely his or his Jesuit brother).

In Sentence 2, what word should replace “coterie”?

Possible Answers:

contingency

cotillion

collodion

coterie (no change)

dovecote

Correct answer:

coterie (no change)

Explanation:

While uncommon, “coterie” is the correct choice here. It refers to a small, exclusive group of people with similar interests. A "dovecote" is a structure in which birds live, a "cotillion" is a formal party, a "collodion" is a specific chemical used in developing film, and a contingency is an event – usually an emergency.

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